The Giants (2-10), one of three teams with fewer wins than the Bears, fired general manager Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAdoo. Co-owner John Mara told reporters it was “pointless to wait any longer to make these changes.”

The Bears, under different circumstances, did not reach the same conclusion. But December for any last-place organization, no matter the specifics, is a slog fraught with uncomfortable questions and truths.

Fox faced several Monday about the processes that have guided a three-year rebuilding effort that has failed to produce gains in the standings.

One centered on his daily interactions with general manager Ryan Pace, who has provided Fox the players for their collective struggle.

“It's been very positive from the standpoint of a working relationship,” Fox said. “(The record) is frustrating, no doubt. That can't deter you. You just keep rolling.”

Another question prodded Fox on whether he has contemplated in-season changes to his staff.

“That has not been productive for me in the past,” he said.

The Bears offense was the context for that interrogation. Through Sunday, it ranked 30th in the NFL in points scored, 31st in total yards and 25th in yards per play.

“Anytime you bring in new quarterbacks, again, we all have to answer that, and we're all big boys and we get it,” Fox said. “I'd like to have been more productive offensively, but the reality is we're kind of where we are.

“Playing a lot of young players, in particularly at the quarterback position, I've seen improvement in him, and that's kind of what I look for is are we getting better.”

Rookie Mitch Trubisky, in his eighth start, did post a career-high 117.2 passer rating against the 49ers. He threw only 15 passes but completed 12 for his best percentage. He threw for only 102 yards, but that included an 8-yard touchdown.

He fumbled twice but recovered both, and he did not throw an interception.

“I thought Mitch played, arguably, his best game,” Fox said. “There were a couple decisions I think he'd like to have back, not that they were huge errors.”

Yes, assessing meaningless December games is all that’s left. Answers to the substantive questions belong to ownership and Pace for now.

Until they draw conclusions and share them, the formality of sessions such as Monday’s — and the emptiness therein — continues.

“We’re in the last quarter of the season, just like the fourth quarter of a game,” Fox said. “People remember what you do in December. Every time we go out there, it’s our resume — whether you’re a player or a coach, assistant coach — for the world to see. You take pride in that. The guys that are professionals do. That’s what drives all of us.”